I want to be PH tourism ambassador - Wurtzbach

- During Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach’s visit to the Department of Tourism, she expressed her desire to be the country’s tourism ambassador

- The beauty queen stopped by the DOT on Monday prior to meeting President Duterte at Malacañang

- One of Pia’s goals is for the Philippines to host the Miss Universe pageant next year

The reigning Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach promised that she will continue to be the Philippines’ Ambassador of Goodwill during her press interview at the Department of Tourism.

“I [will] still continue on pursuing that goal of being a great ambassador as I go throughout my reign, as I visit different countries around the world as Miss Universe. I will continue on doing that,” she said.

Along with Department of Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo, Wurtzbach has been consistently pushing for the Philippines to become the next host country of the Miss Universe pageant.

In a separate interview, Tourism Secretary Teo said that hosting the international pageant would be a remarkable business opportunity that comes at zero cost for the Philippino government since the private sector is willing to shoulder all expenses. She also added that she will reach out to possible sponsors once it is confirmed that the Philippines is the next host country.

“We really hope that the President will grant our request. It would give a big boost to business and livelihood of millions of people in line with our shared tourism program. That means it is our goal to include and involve every Filipino,” Teo explained.

The DOT chief said that the government will need to raise a budget of USD 12 million or roughly around PHP 560 million for the event.

However, in a separate interview, Secretary Teo said that if the international beauty contest would be held in the country, she wants to have it moved to May instead of January to give way to other big festivals happening at the start of the year such as the Chinese New Year celebration and the Sinulog festival.

The Philippines last hosted the Miss Universe pageant in 1994. - Kami Media